Northcentral Regional Office CLEAN WATER PROGRAM a Application Type Renewal Application No. PA0038865 NPDES PERMIT FACT SHEET Facility Type Municipal INDIVIDUAL APS ID 1012712 Major / Minor Minor Authorization ID 1307797 a Applicant and Facility Information a Zerbe Township Wastewater Applicant Name Zerbe Township Municipal Authority Facility Name Treatment Plant Applicant Address 800 Mahanoy Street Facility Address 1350 Susquehanna Street Trevorton, PA 17881-1106 Trevorton, PA 17881 Applicant Contact Michael Schwartz Facility Contact Ed Reed Applicant Phone (570) 797-1974 Facility Phone (570) 797-1974 Client ID 78932 Site ID 255403 Ch 94 Load Status Not Overloaded Municipality Zerbe Township Connection Status No Limitations County Northumberland Date Application Received March 4, 2020 EPA Waived? No Date Application Accepted March 10, 2020 If No, Reason Significant CB Purpose of Application Renewal of an existing NPDES permit for the discharge of treated sewage.

Public Participation

DEP will publish notice of the receipt of the NPDES permit application and a tentative decision to issue the individual NPDES permit in the Pennsylvania Bulletin in accordance with 25 Pa. Code § 92a.82. Upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, DEP will accept written comments from interested persons for a 30-day period (which may be extended for one additional 15- day period at DEP’s discretion), which will be considered in making a final decision on the application. Any person may request or petition for a public hearing with respect to the application. A public hearing may be held if DEP determines that there is significant public interest in holding a hearing. If a hearing is held, notice of the hearing will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin at least 30 days prior to the hearing and in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the geographical area of the discharge.

Approve Deny Signatures Date

X Derek S. Garner 10/22/2020

Derek S. Garner / Project Manager

X Nicholas W. Hartranft 10/22/2020

Nicholas W. Hartranft, P.E. / Environmental Engineer Manager

NPDES Permit Fact Sheet NPDES Permit No. PA0038865 Zerbe Township Wastewater Treatment Plant

Discharge, Receiving Waters and Water Supply Information

Outfall No. 001 Design Flow (MGD) 0.5 Latitude 40º 47' 44.19" Longitude -76º 41' 19.09" Quad Name Trevorton Quad Code 1232 Wastewater Description: Sewage Effluent Receiving Waters Zerbe Run Stream Code 17639 NHD Com ID 54963747 RMI 6.55 Drainage Area 8.25 Yield (cfs/mi2) 0.061

Q7-10 Flow (cfs) 0.5 Q7-10 Basis Streamgage No. 1555500 Elevation (ft) 710 Slope (ft/ft) n/a Watershed No. 6-B Chapter 93 Class. CWF, MF Existing Use n/a Existing Use Qualifier n/a Exceptions to Use n/a Exceptions to Criteria n/a Assessment Status Impaired Cause(s) of Impairment Metals, pH Source(s) of Impairment TMDL Status Final Name TMDL

Nearest Downstream Public Water Supply Intake SUEZ Water PWS Waters Flow at Intake (cfs) 2,610 PWS RMI 76.73 Distance from Outfall (mi) 50

Treatment Facility Summary a The Zerbe Township Wastewater Treatment Plant (“WWTP”), WQM Permit No. 4911401 issued 5/15/12, is a sequencing batch reactor (“SBR”) plant with a hydraulic design capacity of 0.5 MGD and an organic capacity of 751 lbs/day. Treatment at the facility consists of:

• One (1) micro-screen w/ manual bar screen overflow • Two (2) 266,048-gal SBRs • One (1) open channel UV disinfection system • Two (2) sludge processing tanks (43,700-gal holding tank, 69,700-gal aerobic digester) o Sludge is either hauled to the Lycoming County Landfill or the Ralpho Township Municipal Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant (NPDES Permit No. PA0028738).

Disinfected effluent is ultimately discharged via Outfall 001 to Zerbe Run.

2 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet NPDES Permit No. PA0038865 Zerbe Township Wastewater Treatment Plant

Compliance History

The facility was most recently administratively inspected by DEP on March 20, 2020. No operational issues were reported.

One effluent violation, below, occurred during the existing permit’s term:

Monitoring Monitoring Non- Period Period Compliance Sample Violation Permit Begin Date End Date Category Parameter Value Condition Value Unit SBC Conc. 3 Effluent Fecal 6/1/2017 6/30/2017 Violation Coliform > 2420 > 1000 No./100 ml IMAX

Since there does not appear to be a chronic problem meeting the permit’s effluent limits, the above violation will not impact how effluent limits are developed during this renewal.

There are no open violations associated with the permittee.

Development of Effluent Limitations

Outfall No. 001 Design Flow (MGD) 0.5 Latitude 40º 46' 54.71" Longitude -76º 41' 20.38" Wastewater Description: Sewage Effluent

Technology-Based Limitations

The following technology-based limitations apply, subject to analysis and BPJ where applicable:

Pollutant Limit (mg/l) SBC Federal Regulation State Regulation 25 Average Monthly 133.102(a)(4)(i) 92a.47(a)(1) CBOD5 40 Average Weekly 133.102(a)(4)(ii) 92a.47(a)(2) Total Suspended 30 Average Monthly 133.102(b)(1) 92a.47(a)(1) Solids 45 Average Weekly 133.102(b)(2) 92a.47(a)(2) pH 6.0 – 9.0 S.U. Min – Max 133.102(c) 95.2(1) Fecal Coliform (5/1 – 9/30) 200 / 100 ml Geo Mean - 92a.47(a)(4) Fecal Coliform (5/1 – 9/30) 1,000 / 100 ml IMAX - 92a.47(a)(4) Fecal Coliform (10/1 – 4/30) 2,000 / 100 ml Geo Mean - 92a.47(a)(5) Fecal Coliform (10/1 – 4/30) 10,000 / 100 ml IMAX - 92a.47(a)(5)

Water Quality-Based Limitations

Historically, water quality-based effluent limits were not applied to the discharge at Zerbe Run in accordance with 25 Pa. Code § 95.5(a)(1), which states that sewage discharges to waters impaired by abandoned mine drainage (“AMD”) so that water quality criteria are not being met and designated water uses are not being achieved to the extent that aquatic communities are essentially excluded must only treat to secondary technology standards. Instead, a point of first use was designated downstream at the confluence of Zerbe Run and Mahanoy Creek.

A TMDL for the Mahanoy Creek watershed, which includes Zerbe Run, was finalized on March 13, 2007. The purpose of the TMDL is to address the watershed’s impairment caused by AMD. When a TMDL is in place, it can be reasonably assumed that water quality throughout the watershed will significantly improve. Under this assumption, in accordance with § 95.5(b)(1) and (2), DEP no longer believes the application of § 95.5(a)(1) is appropriate. Additionally, the TMDL states, p. 4, that sewage in the watershed is contributing to impairments but is generally being masked by the AMD. Accordingly, water quality-based effluent limits, if applicable, will be applied at Outfall 001 on Zerbe Run.

3 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet NPDES Permit No. PA0038865 Zerbe Township Wastewater Treatment Plant

The applicability of WQBELs was evaluated using DEP’s WQM 7.0 v1.0b and the Toxics Management Spreadsheet (“TSM”). WQM 7.0 is a multiple source discharge model that is used to determine NPDES effluent limits for ammonia- nitrogen, CBOD5, and dissolved oxygen, if applicable. The TMS is a single discharge model that is used to determine NPDES effluent limits and monitoring requirements for toxics, if applicable. All model input/output data and supporting documentation is attached.

Reaches were created in WQM 7.0 along Zerbe Run starting at Outfall 001 until a recovery in dissolved oxygen was observed. Discharge concentration input values of 25 mg/l were used for CBOD5 and ammonia-n, and a discharge concentration of 3 mg/l was assumed for dissolved oxygen.

Effluent Limit (mg/l) Parameter Average Monthly Maximum Minimum CBOD5 12.94 - - Ammonia-nitrogen 3.56 7.12 - Dissolved Oxygen - - 5

Based on the above model output, WQBELs for CBOD5, ammonia-n, and dissolved oxygen are appropriate. Since these are newly proposed limits, DEP evaluated whether a compliance schedule would be necessary to avoid immediate noncompliance. A review of eDMR data indicates that during the existing permit’s term, there would have been zero CBOD5 or ammonia-n exceedances. Accordingly, a compliance schedule is not necessary.

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For the TMS, input concentrations were taken from sample results included with the renewal application. The TMS output results are as follows:

Mass Limits Concentration Limits AML MDL Governing WQBEL Pollutants AML MDL IMAX Units Comments (lbs/day) (lbs/day) WQBEL Basis Chloride (PWS) Report Report Report Report Report mg/L N/A N/A Discharge Conc > 10% WQBEL (no RP) (1) Sulfate (PWS) Report Report Report Report Report mg/L N/A N/A Discharge Conc > 10% WQBEL (no RP) (1) Total Copper 0.062 0.096 14.8 23.1 37.0 µg/L 14.8 AFC Discharge Conc ≥ 50% WQBEL (RP) Total Zinc Report Report Report Report Report µg/L 127 AFC Discharge Conc > 10% WQBEL (no RP)

(1) There is no public water supply on Zerbe Run; therefore, PWS criterion is not applicable.

TMDL Impairment

The fact sheet developed for the most recent renewal, dated April 2015, summarizes two years’ worth of effluent sample results for aluminum, iron, and manganese to address the watershed’s impairment from AMD. The fact sheet concluded that since all sample results were below Chapter 93 criteria, there is no reasonable potential to exceed water quality criteria and further monitoring or limits are not necessary.

Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) Limitations

Raw sewage influent monitoring for BOD5 and TSS is proposed to remain in the permit to continue to help with Chapter 94 reporting.

Chesapeake Bay

The Wastewater Supplement to Phase 3 of Pennsylvania’s Watershed Implementation Plan (“WIP”) identifies the Zerbe Township WWTP as a Phase 3 facility with cap loads of 7,306 lbs/year of total nitrogen and 974 lbs/year of total phosphorus. These cap loads were established in the most recent renewal of the permit. Since there has not been any changes to the WIP or the facility to warrant changes to the existing Chesapeake Bay requirements, the existing requirements will remain in the permit.

Anti-Backsliding

No limits are proposed to be made less stringent than the existing permit. Anti-backsliding is not applicable.

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Existing Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements

The existing effluent limitations and monitoring requirements are as follows:

Effluent Limitations Monitoring Requirements Mass Units (lbs/day) Concentrations (mg/L) Parameter Minimum Required Average Weekly Average Daily Instant. Measurement Sample Monthly Average Minimum Monthly Maximum Maximum Frequency Type Report Flow (MGD) Report Daily Max XXX XXX XXX XXX Continuous Metered

pH (S.U.) XXX XXX 6.0 XXX XXX 9.0 1/day Grab

Dissolved Oxygen XXX XXX Report XXX XXX XXX 1/day Grab 40 8-Hr CBOD5 104 166 XXX 25 Wkly Avg 50 1/week Composite BOD5 8-Hr Raw Sewage Influent Report XXX XXX Report XXX XXX 1/week Composite 8-Hr Total Suspended Solids 125 187 XXX 30 45 60 1/week Composite Total Suspended Solids 8-Hr Raw Sewage Influent Report XXX XXX Report XXX XXX 1/week Composite Fecal Coliform (No./100 ml) 200 May 1 - Sep 30 XXX XXX XXX Geo Mean XXX 1,000 1/week Grab Fecal Coliform (No./100 ml) 2,000 Oct 1 - Apr 30 XXX XXX XXX Geo Mean XXX 10,000 1/week Grab 8-Hr Ammonia-Nitrogen XXX XXX XXX Report Report XXX 2/week Composite

UV Dosage (mjoules/cm²) XXX XXX Report XXX XXX XXX 1/day Grab

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Proposed Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements

The limitations and monitoring requirements specified below are proposed for the draft permit, and reflect the most stringent limitations amongst technology, water quality and BPJ. Instantaneous Maximum (IMAX) limits are determined using multipliers of 2 (conventional pollutants) or 2.5 (toxic pollutants). Sample frequencies and types are derived from the “NPDES Permit Writer’s Manual” (362-0400-001), SOPs and/or BPJ.

Outfall 001, Effective Period: Permit Effective Date through Permit Expiration Date.

Outfall 001 , Continued (from Permit Effective Date through Permit Expiration Date )

Effluent Limitations Monitoring Requirements Mass Units (lbs/day) Concentrations (mg/L) Parameter Minimum Required Average Weekly Instantaneous Average Weekly Instant. Measurement Sample Monthly Average Minimum Monthly Average Maximum Frequency Type Report Flow (MGD) Report Daily Max XXX XXX XXX XXX Continuous Metered

pH (S.U.) XXX XXX 6.0 XXX XXX 9.0 1/day Grab

Dissolved Oxygen XXX XXX 5.0 XXX XXX XXX 1/day Grab Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD5) 8-Hr Nov 1 - Apr 30 100 150 XXX 24.0 36.0 48 1/week Composite Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD5) 8-Hr May 1 - Oct 31 50 75 XXX 12.0 18.0 24 1/week Composite Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) Report 8-Hr Raw Sewage Influent Report Daily Max XXX Report XXX XXX 1/week Composite Total Suspended Solids Report 8-Hr Raw Sewage Influent Report Daily Max XXX Report XXX XXX 1/week Composite 8-Hr Total Suspended Solids 125 185 XXX 30.0 45.0 60 1/week Composite Fecal Coliform (No./100 ml) 2000 Oct 1 - Apr 30 XXX XXX XXX Geo Mean XXX 10000 1/week Grab Fecal Coliform (No./100 ml) 200 May 1 - Sep 30 XXX XXX XXX Geo Mean XXX 1000 1/week Grab Ammonia-Nitrogen 8-Hr Nov 1 - Apr 30 43 65 XXX 10.5 15.6 21.3 2/week Composite Ammonia-Nitrogen 8-Hr May 1 - Oct 31 14 21 XXX 3.5 5.2 7.1 2/week Composite

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Outfall 001 , Continued (from Permit Effective Date through Permit Expiration Date )

Effluent Limitations Monitoring Requirements Mass Units (lbs/day) Concentrations (mg/L) Parameter Minimum Required Average Weekly Instantaneous Average Weekly Instant. Measurement Sample Monthly Average Minimum Monthly Average Maximum Frequency Type 8-Hr Total Phosphorus XXX XXX XXX Report XXX XXX 2/week Composite 0.096 23.1 8-Hr Copper, Total (ug/L) 0.062 Daily Max XXX 14.8 Daily Max 37 1/week Composite Report Report 8-Hr Zinc, Total (ug/L) Report Daily Max XXX Report Daily Max XXX 1/month Composite Ultraviolet light dosage (mjoules/cm²) XXX XXX Report XXX XXX XXX 1/day Grab

Compliance Sampling Location: Outfall 001

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Proposed Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements

The limitations and monitoring requirements specified below are proposed for the draft permit, to comply with Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Strategy.

Outfall 001, Effective Period: Permit Effective Date through Permit Expiration Date.

Outfall 001 , Continued (from Permit Effective Date through Permit Expiration Date )

Effluent Limitations Monitoring Requirements Mass Units (lbs/day) Concentrations (mg/L) Parameter Minimum Required Monthly Instant. Measurement Sample Monthly Annual Monthly Average Maximum Maximum Frequency Type 8-Hr Ammonia--N Report Report XXX Report XXX XXX 2/week Composite 8-Hr Kjeldahl--N Report XXX XXX Report XXX XXX 2/week Composite 8-Hr Nitrate-Nitrite as N Report XXX XXX Report XXX XXX 2/week Composite

Total Nitrogen Report Report XXX Report XXX XXX 1/month Calculation 8-Hr Total Phosphorus Report Report XXX Report XXX XXX 2/week Composite

Net Total Nitrogen XXX 7306 XXX XXX XXX XXX 1/year Calculation

Net Total Phosphorus XXX 974 XXX XXX XXX XXX 1/year Calculation

Compliance Sampling Location: Outfall 001

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Q7-10 Determination

Streamgage Streamstats 001 Streamstats Node 1 DFLOW Q710 Calc

WQM Modeling Input/Output

WQM Input WQM WQM Modeling WQM WLA WQM DO WQM Effluent Hydrodynamic OutputsSpecifications Simulation Limits

Toxics Management Spreadsheet

Toxics Management Spreadsheet

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